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Session 2793

SEATEC-An Innovative Approach to Engineering and Technology Curriculum Development

Saleh M. Sbenaty, Claudia House Middle Tennessee State University/Nashville State Technical Institute

Abstract

The South East Advanced Technological Education Consortium, SEATEC, provides a creative approach to curriculum development and delivery that improve engineering and technology education and revive student interests in pursuing these programs. This is one of the main objectives of this three-year NSF-funded grant (about $1.8 million). The consortium is a collaborative effort of five different teams from five colleges across Tennessee. Each team includes multi-disciplinary faculties, industry partners, university partners, and high school tech- prep teachers. The unique partnership with the industry along with the rigorous training of SEATEC participating faculty have produced work-based case-study models that are interdisciplinary, multi-media enhanced, open-ended, and use active and collaborative learning. The current paper provides a brief account of the various curriculum development activities throughout the SEATEC project. A sample multi-media enhanced case is also provided.

I. Introduction

The fast introduction of new technology in the workplace has greatly affected the daily operation of most industrial institutions. Automation, telecommunication, and computer applications have resulted in higher efficiency, reliability, and/or lower production cost. In face of this fact, however, companies currently encounter a new challenge: stay technologically current or risk falling behind the competition! A recent study by The US Department of Commerce indicated that firms that do not use advanced technology are less productive, pay lower wages, and offer less job security than similar firms that do. On the other hand, the implementation of new technology is often slowed down by the unavailability of skilled workers. Therefore, it is essential, particularly in small or medium size companies, that entry-level technical employees possess the required skills in order to be productive as soon as they join the workforce.

In order to address the increasing demand for a skilled workforce, a process was needed for the development and dissemination of a technology-based education curriculum that is both readily accessible and responsive to innovation and industry needs. As a result, a coalition of five two- year technical colleges in Tennessee with representatives from four-year universities, secondary schools, business and industry, and government institutions in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama was formed (Figure 1). A grant proposal titled “The South-East Advanced Technological Education Consortium, SEATEC” was submitted to NSF for funding. The grant was funded for three years with the following goals:

1. To provide national leadership for the development and implementation of case-based instruction in technology and engineering education.

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Sbenaty, S. M., & House, C. (2000, June), Seatec An Innovative Approach To Engineering And Technology Curriculum Development Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8685